Bomb threats called in to schools, businesses in Waupun area

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WAUPUN (WITI) -- There is concern in Waupun after several bomb threats have been called in this week at places across the city. In fact, the hospital in Waupun went into lockdown on Wednesday, November 13th after a threat was made.

Waupun is considered quiet by most -- including Piggly Wiggly owner Randy Verhage.

"It's a small town. We know just about all our customers and they know us," Verhage said.

Verhage says recent bomb threats are "the talk of the town" and says the threats have targeted his business.

"(Tuesday) we got a phone call approximately 1:05 and basically they said' there's a bomb in your store' and hung up," Verhage said.

It has also happened at Waupun Area Junior and Senior High School, where Jeff Finstad is the principal.

"We suspected it was coming. We were ready for it. We planned for it," Finstad said.

Finstad met police at the school early Wednesday morning to do a sweep of the school's perimeter and then inside.

"We decided to go through every single locker in the building. I got a little blister on my finger from opening every lock," Finstad said.

Waupun police say the threats so far have been empty, but still impact the community greatly.

"We have not found any threat. We did not find any device. Is it an act of terrorism? I'd say yes, absolutely," Waupun Police Deputy Chief Scott Louden said.

"You always wonder do you keep school open? Do you not have school?" Finstad said.

Finstad did keep the school open, but it wasn't a typical school day. 50% of the student population was not in school on Wednesday.

Meanwhile, others in the city are hoping the threats come to an end without incident.

"It just puts everybody on alert that somebody's out there. And they walk into businesses and schools and say 'did they really plant one in here or didn't they?'" Verhage said.

While police say the community is a little bit on edge because of this, they do say it is safe.

Other communities in the area have also received bomb threats, such as Beaver Dam.

Police say they have a person of interest that they hope to speak with very soon.